Group Learns How to Turn Faith Into Action

A group of faith-based activists learned firsthand what they could do about an unpleasant reality: that where you live and not how you live helps determine how long you live.

Congregational organizing was the focus of a training session hosted last Thursday by Southeast and presented by Cleveland’s Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry Office of Advocacy, and MOSES (Metropolitan Organizing Strategy Enabling Strength), a diverse group of Detroit congregations that organizes communities, develops leaders and builds relationships to advocate for social justice.

More than 50 people, including clergy and lay workers from several denominations throughout the Cleveland area, attended the session.

An organized church can effectively work within its community, including other churches, to alleviate disparity in political, social, economic and environmental decisions that affect their lives, said trainer Poencella Hardaway, executive director of MOSES.

Power begins with knowledge: knowing each other within our own churches, knowing our neighborhood and knowing how to harness all of that talent and people power to improve lives, uncover leadership and talent in the communities that we, as Christians, are called to serve. This is the foundation for creating effective, faith-based community groups.

Environmental issues, such as the locations of incinerators and landfills or hazard waste storage are disproportionately problems in lower income areas and often cited as reasons for increased respiratory and other health problems.

“When someone talked about air pollution, for example, it generally just went over my head, I never thought about it in terms of what the church could do about it or the health impact it had on us,” said Pastor Jerome Hurst. “Not anymore.”

A key part of the training involved learning how to have structured conversations with each other to build relationships based on common values and mutual self-interests, first with each other within our churches and then within our communities. Those relationships will become the foundation for strong community organizations

Ongoing training sessions are planned for later in the year.

-Deborah Burstion-Donbraye

Bro. Warner Brown, (husband of Sis. Rachel Brown, Sabbath School Teacher at Southeast) and member of the Glenville Seventh-day Adventist church, is a recognized icon in the Lee-Seville area. Mr. Brown has the ability to engage family and friends in exciting dialogue about the relevancy of Bible prophecy, while sharing many experiences that has touched his life. Not only is “Brown” as he is affectionately known, an avid Christian, he is also considered the Southeast area neighborhood expert on car and truck repairs for more than 40 years. Having worked on many Pastors, church members, family and friends cars, Mr. Brown is well respected wherever he goes. Recently he fixed my car and as we entered into the parts store where he frequents, the salesperson(s) greeted him in such a respectable tone, I thought of him as Mr. E.F. Hutton, whereas when he enters a room, everyone stops to speak and listen to such a commanding man. It is such a pleasure to know a sincere Christian brother, who has always had a love for serving the Lord and servicing the people. What a great person to have in your life and to be able to call him a friend.

-Denise Brooks

Be Free From Your Suffering

On January 25th, 2012, Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting was not the usual service. The Southeast Praise Team began the service by singing Come Let Us Adore Him, followed by How Great is Our God and summing up the introduction to the Holy Spirit with Total Praise. Bishop Tony Minor, Director of Advocacy, Lutheran Metropolitan Ministries, introduced the guest pastors, which were Pastor Mulba Borsay, Calvary Lutheran Church, East Cleveland, Ohio, Pastor Dr. Larry Killings, Advent Lutheran Church, and Pastor Charles Williams Jr., from the Historic King Solomon Baptist Church, who is also a community activist out of Detroit MI and the guest speaker. Of course, our own Host Pastor Jerome Hurst, along with the members of Southeast SDA Church graciously welcomed these men of God into our Sanctuary.

Sister Karen King of PCC, blessed us with Great is Your Mercy and from the distinct words of that song, the congregation reflected on their own lives and praised the Lord for His goodness and His faithfulness to all. Pastor Jerome Hurst invited the attendees to join together in groups of 2 or 3 for prayer. The season of prayer concluded with Pastor Killings powerful prayer over the saints. After prayer, we were blessed tremendously in song from Hands in Ministry Deaf Choir, signing, I Need Your Glory.

Pastor C. Williams Jr., commanded attention from the audience when he began singing a song which mentioned “Everything means nothing if I ain’t got Jesus” in preparation for his sermon. He referred to Mark 5:24-29, which is the story of the woman who had an issue of blood. When the woman touched the hem of Jesus’ garment, she was healed, delivered and free from her suffering. Pastor Williams shared with us that if we want an abracadabra blessing, we must first be honest, clear and concise about our problems, not concerned about what people think or say and take the ‘drama’ straight to Jesus. God used the woman with the issue of blood to be a living testimony of His Power. As we follow in Christ’s footsteps, He will deliver His people and their community from the issues that plague our lives. He stated that If we allow the Lord to be in the center of our lives, we will experience “NO MORE DRAMA”.

-Denise Brooks

Ione Burks a six grader at Ramah Junior Academy has proven that good and prosperous things happen when a person submits everything to God. She wanted to get better grades and have a stronger relationship with God, so she decided to read the Bible daily, morning and evening, and have that personal time with Jesus. As a result of Ione’s determination to read the Bible her spirituality and grades increased. When asked who helped her, Ione stated, “my God, my parents and my teachers.” With God all things are possible. Matthew 19:26.

-Keith Dixon

The Barna Group released a report revealing that 75% of adults believe that churches have a positive impact on their local communities. This sounds like good news, right? So why is it that church membership is dwindling? It seems that people would want to take part in this positive influence of the community around them.

Here’s the thing … the next question asked was:

Many churches and faith leaders want to contribute positively to the common good of their community. What does your community need, if anything, that you feel churches could provide?

Many adults had no idea how churches could contribute – even though they had previously said the presence of a church was a positive addition to the community. Here were the other results:

• Addressing poverty 29%
• Teaching the Bible and giving spiritual direction 12%
• Serving youth, families, & the elderly 13%
• Cultivating biblical values 14%
• Assist those in recovery 10%
• Assist with financial or career education 7%
• Be inclusive and accepting 3%
• Be engaged politically 1%

What this report really reveals is that although people are not hostile toward churches, they really don’t see how the local church plays an active role in its community. This is particularly true when churches are located in an area with very little poverty.

But the gospel message is about transformation … that in Christ we are a new creation, full of hope and joy. We live full and abundant lives because of a greater purpose. So if the gospel message is about transforming lives, then shouldn’t our churches be transforming their local communities?

It seems there are a couple of things our churches can learn from this report. Just what can we do to make sure our church have a positive impact on our local community?

Have a public face.

Show up at community events. All too often we do most of our work inside the church building with church members. We don’t see the need to attend the local parade, community fair, chamber of commerce, town meetings. Because the church has largely been absent from these community events, it’s difficult to understand how the church and community connect.

If the church is part of the community, then the church should be active in the community. Church leaders and members should be the human face of the church. When people think of the church, there should be people that come to mind.

Build relationships outside the church.

I think a lot of people in the community have misconceptions about the church. Although most people think the church is a positive thing, many don’t see the need to be personally committed to a church. There could be many reasons for this. Maybe they are too busy. Or maybe they aren’t sure the church has anything to offer them – after all, the church is there for the poor and the downtrodden, not the mainstream, right? Or maybe they’ve had a bad experience at a church – felt unwelcome, judged, kicked out.

Regardless of the reason, it’s unlikely that they have a real relationship with someone who is active in a church community. When we build relationships with people outside of the church, we begin to walk in their shoes – and they in ours. They begin to see how church has a positive effect on our lives – and maybe how it could have a positive effect in theirs.

Is our church active in the local community? Are we really making an impact?  When someone from the community thinks about Southeast does your face come into view? Are you making an impact through the ministries of the church?

-Jerome M. Hurst, Senior Pastor

Elder Richard Russell, who served as an electrician for the East Cleveland School District, recently retired after dedicating 15 years as a faithful employee. This is the second ‘retirement’ for Elder Russell, who was employed by the Illuminating Company for 30 years. An expert electrician, Elder Russell enjoys working around anything that gives off power. He can often be found using his expert skills to help family, friends and church members with their electrical repairs or needs. He has truly earned this second retirement!  Congratulations Elder Russell and more power to you in the name of the Lord.

-Cecily Bryant

Deborah Hill, former councilwoman, Warrensville Heights, spoke on Monday, January 16, 2012 at the Warrensville Heights Library for the Martin Luther King Day Celebration, one of many featured programs to honor our slain Civil Rights Leader. As a teenager during the 1960′s , Ms. Hill had a burning desire to take an active part in the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham, Alabama to pave the way for freedom and equality among the Negro race. The Civil Rights Movement meetings were conducted by the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Reverend Ralph Abernathy and others that encouraged the Negro race that the only way to gain freedom was to approach it in a non-violent manner. Ms. Hill shared with the audience that she asked her girlfriend to tell her mother that if she didn’t come home that evening, she would more than likely be in jail due to being an active supporter of the Civil Rights Movement. Her reflections of her childhood during these tumultuous times encouraged her to always be supportive of the fight for equality. Ms. Hil summed up her presentation by explaining that she is a fighter; physically, mentally and spiritually, and that her strength was instilled in her from her father and mother, who only had a 4th grade and 12th grade education, respectively, however determined to educate their 7 children. By remembering the legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King and all of his values, Ms. Hill insisted that we keep ‘His Story’ in the fore-front of our children and adults, alike.

-Denise Brooks

On Sunday, Jan 15th, excitement was in the air as brave hearted SE members traveled to Strongsville in search of a winter thrill. The young and young at heart endured chilly temp, long lines and a 124 steep stairway to the top of the toboggan drop.

More than 40 Southeast members took in the fun on Sunday. There were ten or more who travelled in the SE van, driven by co-Head deacon, Gary King.

The day began in prayer as a small group, a caravan of five vehicles met in the SE parking lot. It was hard to say who was the most excited, the youth, the adults or those who accompanied them, to cheer them on. Afterwards, everyone gathered in the chalet for hot chocolate and fellowship.

-Donna Dixon

The Lee-Miles Ministerial Alliance held its annual Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration at the Southeast Seventh-day Adventist Church on Monday, January 16, 2012 . In commemoration of the fallen hero, attendees gathered at 10:00 am to reflect on the struggles and the triumphs of the Civil Rights Era. Antioch Dance Ministries performed “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Round”, a tribute to the men and women who fought through non-violent protest. Antioch also graced the place with ”Dance Prayer”, a tribute to the four black little girls who were killed in the 1963 bombing of the 16^th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama .

Southeast’s own Selah Praise and Ramah Jr. Academy students danced “The Creation”, penned by famous African American writer and poet, James Weldon Johnson. The congregation was moved by “Excerpts from a King” by Brush High School student, Matthew Scott. A testimony of God’s unwavering faithfulness to His people was given in song by Ramah student, Jhalin Knowles, with the popular rendition of ”Great Is Thy Faithfulness”. The program concluded with a thought-provoking message from Pastor Ben Goldstein of Heritage Missionary Baptist Church .

The  Lee-Miles ministerial Alliance is a community assembly of pastors in the Lee-Harvard area of Cleveland. Offering collected at programs benefit a food/feeding program for families in need.

-Janviere Lavender